noun
cob
kob
Cob (noun) means the central core of an ear of corn, left over once the kernels are removed. Example: “She gnawed the last few kernels off the corn cob.”
noun
1
The central core of an ear of corn, left over once the kernels are removed.
"She gnawed the last few kernels off the corn cob."
"Save the cobs for the compost bin."
2
A short, thickset horse with a sturdy build, often used for riding.
"The farmer rode a stout little cob to market."
3
A rounded loaf of bread.
"He picked up a fresh cob from the bakery."
How to use cob
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often the woody core left after you strip the kernels off an ear of corn, but also used for a stocky horse or a round loaf of bread.
Common pairings
corn on the cob
a cob loaf
a sturdy cob
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Word forms
- Plural
- cobs
- Third person singular
- cobs
- Past tense
- cobbed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She gnawed the last few kernels off the corn _____.
Etymology
A very old word of uncertain origin, applied over the centuries to lots of round or lumpy things — corn cobs, stocky horses, round loaves, even a male swan.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “cob” mean?
The word “cob” means the central core of an ear of corn, left over once the kernels are removed. In plain terms, most often the woody core left after you strip the kernels off an ear of corn, but also used for a stocky horse or a round loaf of bread.
How do you pronounce “cob”?
“Cob” is pronounced kob (/kɑb/ in IPA).
How do you use “cob” in a sentence?
Here is “cob” used in a sentence: “She gnawed the last few kernels off the corn cob.”
What part of speech is “cob”?
“Cob” is a noun.
How many meanings does “cob” have?
“Cob” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the central core of an ear of corn, left over once the kernels are removed.
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